PCARS%20REPEATERS%20Presentation

1
PCARS REPEATERSPresentation

• Everything you wanted to
• know but were afraid to ask

2
What is a REPEATER

• A device that receives, amplifies, and
  retransmits a signal. Consists of a transceiver
  (transmitter and receiver) and is used to boost
  signal levels to extend the system distance.

3
Typical PCARS Repeater
4
What is a Duplexer?

•  A duplexer is a device which allows a
  transmitter operating on one frequency and a
  receiver operating on a different frequency to
  share one common antenna with a minimum of
  interaction and degradation of the different RF
  signals.

5
The Repeater Duplexer filtersAlso called Cavity
Filters
6
How are repeaters controlled

• Over the air on the Repeaters frequency
• By the Telephone Line - Manually
• By a Telephone Line with Modem and S/W
• By a Local Computer via a Serial Port.

7
PCARS Repeater Controllers

• All PCARS Repeaters use controllers made by
• Computer Automation Technology
• The 146.61 and 146.85 use the CAT-1000 controller
• The 444.425 uses the CAT-300 controller
• Refer to Computer Automation Technology their
  website for more info

8
CAT-1000 Controller Timers

• There are 19 total timers that can be set
• You need to only remember the following four
• ID Timer 10 Minutes
• Talk Timer- 4 Minutes (Resets on receiver
  squelch)
• Phone-Patch Tx - 30 Second
• Failsafe Timer 10 Minutes (Resets on receiver
  squelch)

9
146.01/61 Repeater

• Frequency Transmit - 146.610 MHz
• Receive - 146.010 MHz
• Location Holmes Medical Center
• (8th Floor Radio/Pager Room)
• Manufacture VHF Engineering (Hybrid)
• Configuration 2 RCVR, 1 XMTR
• Antennas 2 Husler G7-144 (7dB Gain)
• Output Power 50-70 watts EIRP
• 100 Emergency Power YES, Hospital Power
• Phone-Patch YES

10
146.61 Repeater Coverage
11
146.61 Repeater Site
12
One of two 146.61 Repeater Antennas
13
146.25/85 Repeater

• Frequency Transmit - 146.850 MHz
• Receive - 146.250 MHz
• Location Harris Corp.400 Ft Tower Site
• Manufacture Hi Pro Model R1
• Configuration 1 RCVR, 1 XMTR
• Antennas DB-228 (10 dB Gain)
• Antenna height 328-370 feet (42 feet long)
• Output Power 100 watts EIRP
• Emergency Power Yes (Battery and Generator)
• Phone-Patch Yes

14
The OLD GE MASTR II Repeater
15
Inside the Mastr II Repeater
CAT-1000 Controller
16
146.85 Repeater Site
17
146.85 Repeater Site
18
146.85 Repeater Site
19
Harris 400 Foot Tower
PCARS Antenna
20
400 foot Tower
PCARS Antenna
21
Old Block HouseNew Block House is much larger
22
PCARS Antenna Damagefrom Hurricane
23
New Antenna gets Installed
24
PCARS Helping Antenna Crew
25
444.425/444.925 Repeater

• Frequency Transmit 444.425 MHz
• Receive 449.425 MHz
• Location BellSouth Building (Rialto)
• Manufacture ICOM RP-4020
• Configuration 1 RCVR, 1 XMTR
• Antennas Diamond X-510 (10 dB)
• Antenna height 125 feet
• Output Power 80-100 Watts EIRP
• Emergency Power YES (Battery and Generator)
• Phone-Patch NO

26
444.425 Repeater site
27
Antenna Location on Roof
28
ICOM RP-4020 Repeater
Type Amateur UHF repeater
Frequency range 430-450 MHz
Mode FM
RF Power output 10, 25 or 50 W depending on version
Sensitivity N/A
Selectivity N/A
Image rejection N/A
Voltage 13.8 VDC or mains
Current drain RX Max 1.2 A, TX Max 7, 10 or 17 A depending on version
Impedance 50 ohms
Dimensions (WHD) 425149368 mm
29
444.425/ 449.425 Repeater
ICOM RP-4020
30
Using the Phone Patch

• All PCARS Repeaters with Phone-Patches work the
  same and have the same basic programming.
• All Speed-Dial numbers are programmed into both
  repeaters

31
Bring up the Phone-Patch and Dialing the number
Identify by saying This is (Your Call) for
the W4MLB Auto-Patch Un-key and listen for the
Beep Immediately key your Tx and dial the
access code plus the seven digit telephone number
(10 digits) Listen for the number to be verified
and them dialed. If the number is wrong, enter
the pound tone as soon as the number is
announced. The repeater will cancel the dial and
you may re-dial the number. When the party
answers, you should tell them they are on an
Auto-Patch
32
Terminating the Phone-Patch

• Terminate the patch by pressing and
  listen for the voice asked for you to ID. Respond
  by saying This is (YOUR CALL) clear the
  Phone-Patch.
• Listen for the beep to signify termination
  of the patch and you have finished

33

• Other Info
• Talk time is limited to less than 4 minutes per
  Phone-Patch call
• You must transmit every 30 second to keep the
  patch active

34
PCARS Auto-Patches

• All PCARS Repeaters have controllers With
  Auto-patches
• All Auto-Patches work the same
• Only the 146.610 and 146.850 have available
  phone connections
• Auto-Patch is for Club Members Only
• Only Local calls can be made
• Calls are limited to 4 minutes
• Auto-Patch has Speed-Dial option

35
Public Service Numbers stored in the Auto-Dialer

• 911 FIRE, POLICE, AMBULANCE (Emergencies
  only)
• 901 Melbourne Police Dept.
• 902 Palm Bay Police Dept.
• 903 Indialantic Police Dept.
• 904 Indian Harbor Beach Police Dept.
• 905 Melbourne Beach Police Dept.
• 906 Satellite Beach Police Dept.
• 907 Brevard County Sheriff's Dept.
• 908 Florida Highway Patrol.
• 909 United States Coast Guard.

36
Using Speed-Dial Numbers